Vibratory bowl for feeding buttons

ABSTRACT

A button selecting section is provided in the discharge end portion of the upwardly spiraled conveyor track of the bowl for returning improperly orientated buttons back into the bowl and for permitting continued movement of properly orientated buttons to the discharge end of the feeder. The selector section is easily replaceable so that buttons of various sizes may be selected and the selector section is adapted for operation with buttons having a beveled peripheral edge on one side, buttons having a rounded, convex or oval shape on one side, or with buttons having a concave central portion on one side.

3,655,028 Apr. 11, 1972 3,275,120 9/1966Gardner............................

198/33 AA ...22l/ l 154] VIBRATORY BOWL FOR FEEDING BUTTONS [72]Inventor: Howard A. liodglns, Newark, Del. Primary Examiner mchard EAegener Enterprise Machine and Development I Attorney-Parrott, Bell,Seltzer, Park & Gibson Corp., New Castle County, Del. I Sept. 17, 1970[571 [73] Assignee:

221 Filed: ABSTRACT A button selecting section is provided in thedischarge end portion of the upwardly .spiraled conveyor track of thebowl [2]] Appl.No.: 73,147

' for returning improperly orientated buttons back into the [52] 221/157bowl and for permitting continued movement of properly llli- 8 1 83/00orientated buttons to the discharge end of the feeder. The Field ofSearch-mm- 198/33 33 AA; 221/158 selector section is easily replaceableso that buttons of various 221/159 sizes may be selected and theselector section is adapted for operation with buttons having a beveledperipheral edge on one side, buttons having a rounded, convex or ovalshape on [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS one side, or withbuttons having a concave central 'portion on one side.

3,183,703 ..198/20 3,195,705 7/1965 ........22l/1574Claims,7DrawingFigures VIBRATORY BOWL FOR FEEDING BUTTONS Thisinvention relates generally to a selector for a vibratory bowl forfeeding buttons, and more particularly to a selector section which isoperable to deliver properly orientated substantially flat buttons whilereturning improperly orientated buttons back into the bowl.

It is known to utilize a vibratory bowl in the feeding of various typesof articles to a discharge point and to utilize a bowl having a trackwith an inwardly sloping discharge end portion for feeding screws to thedischarge end with their stems projecting upwardly. In accordance withU.S. Pat. No. 2,799,383, an overhanging fence is provided to engage theupstanding stems of properly orientated screws so that they are conveyedto the discharge end but those screws which are lying down on the trackare returned into the bowl. However, an overhanging fence of the typeshown in this patent will not operate to select substantially flatbuttons having a beveled peripheral edge on one side or a concavecentral portion on one side.

It is an object of the present invention to provide button selectingmeans for use with a vibratory feeder bowl which is operable withsubstantially flat buttons having a beveled peripheral edge on one sideor a concave central portion on FIG. is a view similar to FIG. 4 butillustrating one of the improperly orientated buttons being raised asufficient distance by the pin so that the button will slide over theselecone side so that only properly orientated buttons are delivered tothe discharge end.

In accordance with the present invention, the button selecting meansincludes a replaceable selector section having a selector gate extendingalong the inner portion of the inwardly sloping discharge end portion ofthe track and projecting upwardly from the track a distance less thanthe thickness of the buttons so that improperly orientated buttons slideover the selector gate and fall back into the bowl while properlyorientated buttons remain in engagement with the selector gate and aremoved to the discharge end.

When the present selecting means is used in feeding buttons having onesubstantially flat side and a beveled. peripheral edge on the otherside, those buttons which have their substantially flat sides downwardlyremain in engagement with the selector gate and are moved to thedischarge end. However, those'buttons moving along the track with theirbeveled peripheral edges downwardly will slide over the selector gateand fall back into the bowl.

When the present selecting means is used in feeding buttons of the typehaving one substantially flat side and a concave central portion on theother side, one or more button raising pins are provided in the inwardlysloping selector section and spaced from the selector gate a distancesubstantially equal to the radius of the buttons. Those buttons movingalong the track with their substantially flat side downwardly are raiseda sufficient distance by the pins that they slide over the selector gateand fall back into the bowl while those buttons moving along the trackwith their concave central portion downwardly are not raised asufficient distance to slide over the selector gate but remain inengagement therewith and are moved to the discharge end.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is an isometric view lookingdownwardly on a vibratory feeder bowl, and illustrating the buttonselecting means of the present invention incorporated in the inwardlysloping discharge end portion of the button conveying track;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of a fragmentaryportion of the discharge end portion of the track and illustrating thepresent button selecting section incorporated therein;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a row of buttonsmoving along the track and with an improperly orientated button slidingover the selector gate to fall back into the bowl;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged vertical sectional view through theselector section with a properly orientated button passing over thebutton raising pin;

tor gate;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the inner portion of aselector section of the type used to select buttons having a beveledperipheral edge on one side; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the manner in which animproperly orientated button will slide over the selector gate and fallback into the bowl.

The vibratory bowl 10 is generally of the type disclosed in theaforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 2,799,383 and includes a bottom '11 with annularconveyor track means 12 extending upwardly in a spiraled path from thebottom 11. The lower portion of the track 12 slopes outwardly from thebowl while the upper portion of the track defines a discharge endportion 13 which slopes inwardly toward the center of the bowl. Theinwardly sloping discharge end portion 13 is normally provided with anintegrally cast upstanding fence which is removed and replaced-inaccordance with the present invention by a relatively thin sheet metalfence, divided into fence sections 14 and 15. The fence sections 14, 15are suitably secured to the inner edge portion of the bowl and extendabove the track a sufficient distance to prevent any buttons fromsliding off of the sloping track portion 13 falling back into the bowl.

The fence section 15 extends to the discharge end of the track and thebutton selecting means of the present invention may be positioned at anydesired location along the inwardly sloping discharge end portion 13 ofthe track. Suitable button conveying means is suitably connected at oneend to the discharge end of the vibratory feeder bowl and its other endis suitably connected to a button sewing machine or the like forconveying the properly orientated buttons thereto. The conveyor means isillustrated as a spring chute 16 which is formed of wound wire and is ofthe proper cross-sectional dimensions to convey the buttonstherethrough. This type of spring chute 16 is of particular valuein usewith a vibratory bowl feeder as the vibratory feeder bowl impartsvibration to the spring chute 16, which aids in conveying the buttonsand prevents jamming of the buttons in the discharge chute 16.

The bowl 10 is supported on a suitable base 20 housing a motor, notshown, which imparts the proper type of vibratory impulses to the bowl10 to cause buttons B to move along the track 12 and to be successivelyfed upwardly to the inwardly sloping discharge end portion 13 so thatthey move along in engagement with the fence sections 14, 15. The buttonselect- .ing means of the present invention is broadly indicated at Sand is illustrated as being positioned between the fence sections 14,15; however, it is to be understood that this button selecting means maybe positioned immediately adjacent the discharge end of the inwardlysloping discharge end portion of the track 13.

The button selecting means S includes a removable track section 21 whichhas an inclined upper surface corresponding to the inwardly slopingportion of the discharge end 13 of the track. A selector gate 22 issuitably secured along the inner peripheral portion of the track section21 and extends thereabove a predetermined distance, which is less thanthe thickness of the buttons B to be moved along the track. If desired,the selector gate 22 may be formed as an integral part of the removabletrack section 21.

The removable track section 21 is held in position by any suitablemeans, such as one or more screws indicated at 23 in FIG. 4. The screw23 extends upwardly through a portion of the bowl 10 and is threadedinto the removable section 21. When the selecting means S is utilized inconnection with the selection of buttons B of the type shown in FIGS.3-5, that is, buttons having a substantially flat surface on one sideand a concave central portion on the other side, one or more buttonraising pins 25 are provided in the removable track section 21 andextend upwardly from the upper surface a predetermined distance. Thecenter of the button raising pin 25 is preferably positioned inwardlyfrom the inner edge of the selector gate 22 a distance substantiallyequal to the radius of the buttons being fed. The lower portion of thepin 25 is threadably supported in the removable track section 21 and itsupper end is rounded and extends above the track section the distancerequired to properly select the buttons.

As the buttons B are moved along the inclined discharge end portion 13of the track, they move onto the track section 21 and their innerperipheral portions engage the inner edge of the selector gate 22. As abutton B then passes over the button raising pin 25 with itssubstantially flat side facing upwardly, as shown in FIG. 4, the leadingedge portion of the button will be lifted slightly as it moves over thepin 25. However, the button will not be raised a sufficient distancethat the inner peripheral edge is raised above the upper edge of theselector gate 22 because the button will be lowered against the tracksection 21 as the concave central portion passes over the pin 25 so thatthe button will remain in engagement with the selector gate 22, as shownFIG. 4. Although the button will be raised slightly as its trailing edgepasses over the pin 25, it will not be raised above the upper edge ofthe selector gate 22.

On the other hand, if a button moving along the track section 21 isorientated with its substantially flat side downwardly, as shown in FIG.5, the button B will be raised as the central portion passes over thepin 25 a sufficient distance that the inner peripheral portion of thebutton is raised above the upper edge of the selector gate 22. Theraised button will then slide downwardly, over the selector gate 22, andfall back into the bottom 11 of the bowl 10. It is to be understood thatthe button selecting means S may be provided with a single buttonraising pin 25 but it is preferred that two button raising pins 25 beprovided in the removable track section 21. These pins 25 must be spacedapart by a distance greater than the diameter of the buttons being fedso that both the leading and trailing edges of the buttons will not beraised at the same time.

A particular button selecting section may be used with buttons ofseveral sizes, as long as the concave central portion passes over thepin 257 However, if buttons of such a size are to be fed that theconcave central portion will not engage the pin 25, the selector sectionmay be easily removed and replaced by another selector section having aselector gate 22 of the required height and having the button raisingpin 25 properly positioned to operate with this size button.

Also, the present button selecting means is operable with buttons 8'having one substantially fiat side and having a beveled peripheral edgeon the other side, of the type shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. When used withthis type of button, it is not necessary to use the button raising pinin the removable track section 21' and the height or thickness of theselector gate 22 is determined by the amount of bevel on the peripheraledge of one side of the button.

Those buttons B which are properly orientated and move along theselector gate 22' with their substantially flat surface downwardly, asshown in FIG. 6, remain in engagement with the selector gate and aremoved to the discharge end of the track. On the other hand, thosebuttons B which are improperly orientated with their substantially flatsurface upwardly, as shown in FIG. 7, are not held by the selector gate22' because the beveled peripheral edge engages and slides over theupper edge of the selector gate 22' and the button falls back into thebottom 11 of the bowl 10. This type of selector section S will alsoselect buttons having one substantially flat side and which are rounded,convex or oval shaped on the other side.

The button selecting means of the present invention thus operates withbuttons having a concave central portion on one side, or with buttonhaving a beveled peripheral edge on one side. The button selecting meansof the present invention will also operate with buttons which arerounded or oval on one side and substantially flat on the other side.Buttons described in this application as having a beveled peripheraledge on one side are intended to include buttons having a straightbevel, as

illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 as well as buttons having curvin bevels,such as those on buttons which are dome shape rounded or oval on oneside. Also, a particular selector section will operate with buttons ofseveral different sizes and, if it is desired to feed buttons of othersizes, this selector section may be easily removed and replaced byanother selector section having the proper thickness of selector gateand/or a button raising pin which is properly positioned to select therequired size of button.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation.

I claim 1. In a device for feeding buttons to sewing machines and thelike including a vibratory feeder bowl having a bottom, conveyor trackmeans extending upwardly from said bottom to move the buttons upwardlyalong and to a discharge end, said track means including a discharge endportion sloping inwardly toward the center of the bowl, a fenceextending along the inner edge of said discharge end portion of saidtrack means, and said fence having an upper edge at a sufficient heightto prevent any buttons from being displaced from said track; thecombination therewith of button selecting means for returning improperlyorientated buttons into said bowl and for permitting continued movementof properly orientated buttons to said discharge end, said buttonselecting means being particularly adapted for use with buttons of thetype having one substantially flat side and having a concave centralportion on the other side and comprising a selector gate extending alongthe inner portion of said inwardly sloping discharge end portion of saidtrack means and adjacent said fence, said selector gate extendingupwardly from said track means a distance less than the thickness of thebuttons, and at least one button raising pin positioned inwardly fromthe inner edge of said selector gate a distance substantially equal tothe radius of the button, said button raising pin having an upper endextending upwardly above said tract means a distance slightly less thanthe amount of the concavity of the central portion on said other side ofsaid button so that buttons orientated with their one flat sidedownwardly will be raised a sufficient distance by said pin so that theinner surface will be raised to pass over said selector gate and thebutton will fall back into said bowl while buttons orientated with theirconcave central portions downwardly will remain in engagement with saidselector gate and be moved to said discharge end.

2. Button selecting means according to claim 1 wherein said buttonselecting means further comprises a removable track section having anupper surface corresponding with the inwardly sloping discharge endportion of said track means, and wherein said selector gate extendsalong the inner portion of said removable track section.

3. Button selecting means according to claim 2 including at least onebutton raising pin supported in said removable track section and beingspaced inwardly from the inner edge of said selector gate a distancesubstantially equal to the radius of buttons to be selected.

4. Button selecting means according to claim 3 including a pair of saidbutton raising pins supported in said track section, and wherein saidpins are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of thebuttons being selected.

1. In a device for feeding buttons to sewing machines and the likeincluding a vibratory feeder bowl having a bottom, conveyor track meansextending upwardly from said bottom to move the buttons upwardly alongand to a discharge end, said track means including a discharge endportion sloping inwardly toward the center of the bowl, a fenceextending along the inner edge of said discharge end portion of saidtrack means, and said fence having an upper edge at a sufficient heightto prevent any buttons from being displaced from said track; thecombination therewith of button selecting means for returning improperlyorientated buttons into said bowl and for permitting continued movementof properly orientated buttons to said discharge end, said buttonselecting means being particularly adapted for use with buttons of thetype having one substantially flat side and having a concave centralportion on the other side and comprising a selector gate extending alongthe inner portion of said inwardly sloping discharge end portion of saidtrack means and adjacent said fence, said selector gate extendingupwardly from said track means a distance less than the thickness of thebuttons, and at least one button raising pin positioned inwardly fromthe inner edge of said selector gate a distance substantially equal tothe radius of the button, said buttOn raising pin having an upper endextending upwardly above said tract means a distance slightly less thanthe amount of the concavity of the central portion on said other side ofsaid button so that buttons orientated with their one flat sidedownwardly will be raised a sufficient distance by said pin so that theinner surface will be raised to pass over said selector gate and thebutton will fall back into said bowl while buttons orientated with theirconcave central portions downwardly will remain in engagement with saidselector gate and be moved to said discharge end.
 2. Button selectingmeans according to claim 1 wherein said button selecting means furthercomprises a removable track section having an upper surfacecorresponding with the inwardly sloping discharge end portion of saidtrack means, and wherein said selector gate extends along the innerportion of said removable track section.
 3. Button selecting meansaccording to claim 2 including at least one button raising pin supportedin said removable track section and being spaced inwardly from the inneredge of said selector gate a distance substantially equal to the radiusof buttons to be selected.
 4. Button selecting means according to claim3 including a pair of said button raising pins supported in said tracksection, and wherein said pins are spaced apart a distance greater thanthe diameter of the buttons being selected.